ABOUT THE ORCHESTRA
Mission
The Mason Symphony Orchestra collaborates with local arts organizations and guest artists to bring culturally diverse, inclusive, and inspiring musical experiences to the Greater Mason community by performing a wide range of classic, symphonic, popular, and multicultural works, providing music education and engagement opportunities for all ages.
Vision
We envision a vibrant, connected, and inclusive community where musical performance is a unifying force that inspires creativity, nurtures talent, and brings people together across generations and backgrounds to experience the joy of music.
Music Director: Michael Chertock
Michael Chertock was appointed Music Director of the Mason Symphony Orchestra in August 2026, bringing with him a distinguished career as a conductor, pianist, educator, composer, and arranger.
His conducting career began in 2001 when he stepped in for Maestro Carmon De Leone to lead performances of Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Since then, he has served as Music Director and Conductor of the Blue Ash–Montgomery Symphony Orchestra and has conducted the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony in more than 75 performances of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Internationally, he conducted the State Symphony Orchestra of Moscow and the Moscow Conservatory Orchestra in 2015, 2016, and 2017 in acclaimed programs celebrating the music of George Gershwin.
As a pianist, Chertock has appeared as soloist with many of North America’s leading orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the orchestras of Dallas, Baltimore, Detroit, and Indianapolis. He has also performed in more than fifty concerts and five national tours with the Boston Pops Orchestra. His extensive recording career includes piano concertos recorded with orchestras in Ireland, Bulgaria, and Portugal, as well as at London’s renowned Abbey Road Studios with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
A longtime member of Cincinnati’s musical community, Chertock has served as keyboardist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and is Chair of the Piano Department at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. His recordings include four solo albums of film music for the Telarc label, and he has been featured in a PBS-broadcast performance of George Gershwin’s music with the Ohio Valley Symphony.
In addition to his performing and conducting career, Chertock is an accomplished composer. In 2020, he composed Mass for the Feast of St. Francis to texts by Fr. Louis Bodo, OFM. He has served as organist at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church for more than 25 years and previously held the same role at Mason United Methodist Church.
Michael and his wife, Maaike, have made their home in Mason for nearly a decade. They are the proud parents of three children and have four cats.
As Music Director, Chertock is excited to lead the Mason Symphony Orchestra in inspiring performances, impactful projects such as Violins of Hope, and meaningful collaborations with Mason’s outstanding school music programs.
Founded by former Music Director, Dr. Lucy Ginther in 2022, the Mason Symphony Orchestra has become a cornerstone in the Mason community. With her vision and dedication, the Mason Symphony Orchestra developed innovative concert seasons, a scholarship competition, and educational music programs for all. The Board is grateful to Dr. Ginther and honors the legacy she leaves with the Mason Symphony Orchestra.
BOARD:
Melissa Toedtman, President
Sonia Milrod, Treasurer/Violins of Hope
Carolyn Quinn, Secretary/MSO Student Scholarship Competition
Martha Dennemann, Public Relations
Christopher Braun, Orchestra Relations/Licensing
STAFF:
Peter Gorak, Librarian and Personnel Manager
Donzel Burkhart, Production Manager